Cardiovascular Flashcards
Epidemiology thoracic aortic aneurysm
6th-7th decade MALE w/ hx HTN
Ascending aortic aneurysm = MC (60%) - 2/2 cystic medial necrosis
Descending aortic aneurysm (40%) - 2/2 atherosclerosis
CP thoracic aortic aneurysm
MC asymptomatic
If compression of local anatomy - back pain, flank pain, abd pain
Cold foot = thromboembolism preventing blood flow to area
PE thoracic aortic aneurysm
Commonly normal
Rupture = hemorrhagic shock (tachy, dec BP)
Dx thoracic aortic aneurysm
CT ANGIOGRAM = best imaging study
MRI if cannot receive contrast for CTA (renal fxn, preggers)
CXR may be first indication of aneurysm if large enough (widened mediastinum)
Treatment aortic aneurysm
Medical prevention:
- Beta-blockers (esp if a/w marfan synd) - decreased HR = limits rate of expansion
- ACEI/ARB - limit expansion
Surgery indications - catheter guided stent graft placement (closed endovascular repair) IF:
Symptomatic
Ascending > 5.5cm
Descending >6.5 cm
Abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors (6)
Age > 60 HTN Smoking Atherosclerosis Other aneurysms HLD
CP AAA
**ASX until rupture
Rupture = back pain, flank pain, groin pain
Sudden cold or blue distal extremities - thromboembolism = limb ischemia
PE AAA
Vitals normal until rupture - then hemorrhagic shock (tachy, low BP)
ABD: Rupture = palpable pulsatile mass, distension, tenderness
Skin: Rupture = Cullen’s sign (periumbilical bruising) or Turner’s sign (bruising on flank/back)
Sudden cold or blue extremity 2/2 limb ischemia or thromboembolism
Indications for US to screen for AAA (4)
ABD ultrasound indicated for:
[1] Men 65-74 YO w/ hx smoking
[2] Siblings or offspring w/ AAA
[3] Pt w/ presence of thoracic AA or peripheral arterial aneurysms
[4] Pt w/ hypermobility syndromes (marfan, ehler-danlos)
Dx AAA
Abdominal US = BEST IMAGING STUDY
What size to we start following AAA closesly? At what size is intervention required?
Follow closely > 3cm
Intervene > 5-5.5 cm
(at risk for rupture)
Repair options AAA
Open surgery vs closed endovascular repair - closed preferred (lower short term morbidity)- based on anatomy & comorbidities
Follow up s/p repair of AAA
Long term surveillance w/ CTA or MRA after endovascular repair
If ruptures before scheduled surgery - has 50% mortality during surgery
Aortic dissection risk factors (6)
Review: dissection = tear in intima separation of intima from media = false lumen
RF: [1] HTN [2] Atherosclerosis [3] Collagen disorder [4] Aortic valve replacement [5] Aortic aneurysm [6] Cardiac catheterization
CP aortic dissection
Sudden severe sharp or tearing CP in posterior chest or back pain
HTN
Wide pulse pressure
Dx aortic dissection
Essentials for dx:
[1] clinical presentation c/w dissection
[2] evidence of dissection via imaging:
- CXR - probs the initial study done - will show widened mediastinum
- CTA - BEST IMAGING STUDY
Initial management of dissection
HR and BP control w/ esmolol, pain relief w/ morphine
Management of acute Stanford type A dissection
Stanford type A dissection = dissection starts at ASCEND-ing aorta = SURGICAL EMERGENCY
Endovascular (closed) repair vs open repair
Management of acute Stanford type B dissection
Stanford type B dissection = one that starts in descending aorta - less serious than type A
Try to medically manage first - esmolol, pain relief (morphine)
Indications for surgery - aortic rupture, end organ ischemia, continued hemorrhage into pleural or retroperitoneal space, continued HTN/pain despite management, early false lumen expansion, large single entry